CHS students get hands-on learning with Missouri State Hwy Patrol

Some Carthage High Schoolers learned there's all kinds of ways to help catch bad guys.

Rebecca Haines

Some Carthage High Schoolers learned there's all kinds of ways to help catch bad guys.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol teamed up with Carthage R-9 to bring a new and interesting course to high school technical students last week. About 30 juniors and seniors had hands-on learning with the several divisions of the patrol including: crash investigation, the aircraft operations, SWAT operations and marine division and crime scene processing. The students enjoyed a visit from a helicopter that flew in from the patrol headquarters in Springfield, an armored vehicle for SWAT and a boat from the marine division.

“Every day, the students learned about the different divisions with the patrol,” said Sgt. Mike Watson, public information officer. “It gives them an opportunity to see what else is in law enforcement. We offer a lot more than the average scene of a patrolman sitting in a car, checking for speed violators.”

The two-year program, which is unique to this area, was well-received by the 30 students who signed up immediately.

“Looks like next year we'll have double the students,” said Carthage Technical Center criminal justice instructor Jason Hill. “We've had a great response from the students.”

On Thursday, CHS senior Tasha Jones was all smiles after collecting a blood sample. “I love this class,” she said. “I have a background that makes me want to help others have a better life.”

Also interested in law enforcement, CHS junior Kaleb Maxwell, said he appreciated the chance. “I think it's been a great experience,” he said. “We got to see all the behind the scenes of how things go.”